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Topic: What kind of bible do you have? (Read 2217 times)

I am looking for a new bible, I have one that I like just fine (it's a kjv) but I do notice I get really frustrated at bible study when someone reads something and my bible says something completely different. I do like the NIV version. SO what do you all have and why do you like it? Is it easy to read?understand ect? Tia

I have used the amplified for about 25 years and I love it. it gives several meanings for the same word if one isn't enough, and gives you a real flavour of what each passage really means. Very easy to read as well.

Hi Mama! Chosenone has given you one good response. Let me explain why the translations differ and then you can feel more comfortable with your KJV or the NIV or any of the standard translations, including the Amplified. The Hebrew culture uses traits and nouns interchangeable -- same word for them. For instance, the word for 'oak' is the same as the word for a strong leader. The word meaning 'pushy, grabby' is the word often translated as 'goat'! This makes it very difficult for translators of the Old Testament! Which word to use? How to get the meaning across without losing the actual words themselves?

When the Hebrew culture was combined with the western culture Greek language, there are some interesting difficulties in the New Testament as well, which result in some different phrasings.

Then, of course, there is the fact that the English language has changed a lot since the King James was translated and some of the words today do not mean what they did then.

So keep your KJV if you like. Add another one, and then listen to all the other versions in your Bible studies and you will see what other translators did -- and to the best of their abilities -- with the material they had to work with.

One thing you will find is that all the versions give the same basic doctrines and so you needn't worry about the phrasing differences. Be patient and don't fuss.

One other thing. In the book of James we are told that God will always answer the prayer for wisdom with a 'yes.' So pray for that when you read your Bible and when you go to Bible studies.

Hi Mama! Chosenone has given you one good response. Let me explain why the translations differ and then you can feel more comfortable with your KJV or the NIV or any of the standard translations, including the Amplified. The Hebrew culture uses traits and nouns interchangeable -- same word for them. For instance, the word for 'oak' is the same as the word for a strong leader. The word meaning 'pushy, grabby' is the word often translated as 'goat'! This makes it very difficult for translators of the Old Testament! Which word to use? How to get the meaning across without losing the actual words themselves?

When the Hebrew culture was combined with the western culture Greek language, there are some interesting difficulties in the New Testament as well, which result in some different phrasings.

Then, of course, there is the fact that the English language has changed a lot since the King James was translated and some of the words today do not mean what they did then.

So keep your KJV if you like. Add another one, and then listen to all the other versions in your Bible studies and you will see what other translators did -- and to the best of their abilities -- with the material they had to work with.

One thing you will find is that all the versions give the same basic doctrines and so you needn't worry about the phrasing differences. Be patient and don't fuss.

One other thing. In the book of James we are told that God will always answer the prayer for wisdom with a 'yes.' So pray for that when you read your Bible and when you go to Bible studies.

God bless.

Thank you Helen. This helps a lot. I do know some use several bibles at a time, Beth Moore , one I know just got done with her study.

I have used the amplified for about 25 years and I love it. it gives several meanings for the same word if one isn't enough, and gives you a real flavour of what each passage really means. Very easy to read as well.

Thank you chosenone.

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I use the NIV version Quest Study Bible. I absolutely love the side study notes. It's one of my go to bibles I use to understand God's word better. It just helps to understand certain things that weren't clear for me. I think you can get this bible on Amazon for $25 or something.

I prefer the ESV, but for in depth study I like to compare several versions. I have also used KJV, NKJV, NIV, New Living Translation, Young's Literal, the NET Bible, God's Word Translation, and others.

I am somewhat of a Bible collector. I purchase a new Bible every time I turn around. LOL. One thing is for sure, I get something out of each translation.

How I generally participate in a bible study (individual or group) is by finding the version I best understand the scripture in. For instance, some scriptures read better in NIV or NLT, some read better in NKJV.

I try to read the scripture in KJV first. If that is too difficult I try the NKJV. Then if that is too difficult I try NIV or NLT. I've noticed that I understand more in the NIV and NLT translations most of the time.

I know it's not reasonable to go out and buy a bunch of different versions of the Bible. But you might want to slowly invest in a few different translations to help you understand the scriptures more clearly.

I have used the NASB as my go-to translation since about 1974. I consider it one of the best. Many find its wording to be "rough" but I have never understood that viewpoint.

I also like the NKJV, and often read both as they come from different manuscript families for the NT: The Textus Receptus (NKJV) and the Nestle-Aland (NASB). I also like the ESV and recently picked up the new Tree of Life Version (TLV) which uses Messianic terminology.

Dear Mama, Have you tried E-Sword. It's free downloadable software that gives you the ability to read 12 or 14 free translations of the bible along with commentaries, dictionaries etc. Just google E-Sword.com to check it out.

I have and use the King James Bible of 1611. I don't use any of the other English versions of the Bible. The King James Bible of 1611, if you ask me, is the best English translation of the original Bible which was written in Greek and Hebrew. I recommend you use it too.

I have and use the King James Bible of 1611. I don't use any of the other English versions of the Bible. The King James Bible of 1611, if you ask me, is the best English translation of the original Bible which was written in Greek and Hebrew. I recommend you use it too.

Really? the King James of 1611? Or do you really use the King James of 1769?

John 3 1611

14 And as Moses lifted vp the serpent in the wildernesse: euen so must the Sonne of man be lifted vp:15 That whosoeuer beleeueth in him, should not perish, but haue eternall life.16 For God so loued þe world, that he gaue his only begotten Sonne: that whosoeuer beleeueth in him, should not perish, but haue euerlasting life.17 For God sent not his Sonne into the world to condemne the world: but that the world through him might be saued.18 He that beleeueth on him, is not condemned: but hee that beleeueth not, is condemned already, because hee hath not beleeued in the Name of the onely begotten Sonne of God.19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loued darknesse rather then light, because their deedes were euill.20 For euery one that doeth euill, hateth the light, neither commeth to the light, lest his deeds should be reproued.

John 3 1769

13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.

Here is an interesting blog entry on the differences between the various King James versions:

I inherited a lot of family Bibles that were all King James versions. My favorite find was at a used book store though. The Book. It's a New Living Translation version. It gives the history behind the patriarch or apostle that each book is attributed to. The time the scriptures were suppose to occur in or were written in and the overall political atmosphere of the time as well. It varies from book to book. It is a great read. I checked before posting here and there are copies on Amazon and Barnes and Noble and probably even eBay, if you're interested. Blessings.